Bruges Historic City in Belgium, West Flanders

Introduction :
Bruges is the capital and largest city in the West Flanders province of Belgium. Measuring an area of 138 square km, Bruges is a historical city center of Medieval Europe and a prominent World Heritage Site of UNESCO since year 2000. The city is oval in shape and is built on a canal based system and is one of the cities referred to as “The Venice of the North”. Bruges is a popular tourist attraction in Europe today and is famous for its charming historical houses and beautiful canals surrounding it.

The market square has hundreds of gift shops and lots of restaurants with good food
Image attribution to Michielverbeek @ Wiki

The Groenerei Canal
Image attribution to Jean Christophe @ Wiki

The Kruispoort Gateway
Image attribution to Wolfgang Staudt @ Flickr

The Beguinage of Bruges
Image attribution to ser_is_snarkish @ Flickr

Some attractions :
Historic center of Bruges – World Heritage Site area where you can walk on foot and enjoy the beautiful medieval buildings around it.

Basilica of the Holy Blood – Built in the 12th century and houses the venerated relic of the holy blood believed to be collected by Joseph of Arimathea.

The Markt – A square in the central of the town and home to hundreds of gift shops and lots of restaurants.

Minnewater Lake – A beautiful and quiet place to relax with its scenic surroundings

Groeninge Museum – Collection of artworks by painters living and working in Bruges since the 14th century

Restaurants in Bruges
Image attribution to prodiffusion @ Flickr

Delicious Belgium waffles with chocolate
Image attribution to williamsdb @ Flickr

Canal view of Bruges at night
Image attribution to neilhooting @ Flickr

Bonne Chiere windmill
Image attribution to Jim @ Flickr

History :
First traces of human activities in Bruges date back to the Pre-Roman Gaul era where fortifications were built after the Roman conquest of Menapii in around 100 BC and has been an important fortification in the Flemish coastal area to prevent Viking incursions. Bruges received its city charter in 1128 and new walls and canals were built. Gradual sliting since 1050 caused the city to lose direct access to the sea but access was resumed in 1134 naturally by a storm that created the Zwin channel and it soon became the commercial outpost of Bruges. At some point during the 15th century, it was the chief commercial city of the world thanks to its port until sliting denied access to the sea again at the beginning of the 16th century. The city soon fell being Antwerp and gradually declined until tourism picked up in the 19th century and it was soon the world’s first tourist destinations attracting wealthy British and French.

Inside the Church of our Lady
Image attribution to djstanek @ Flickr

Basilica of Holy Blood
Image attribution to Jim @ Flickr

Minnewater Lake is a great place to relax with its peaceful surroundings

Dolphinarium at Boudewjin Park

Reien Canal and bridge

Getting there :
The nearest international airport to Bruges is the Ostend Bruges International Airport (OST) located in Ostend which is 25 km away from the city centre of Bruges, however it only serves airports from few countries on a seasonal basis. The major airport located near Bruges is the Antwerp International Airport (AMR) which is 86 km away from the Bruges city centre.